Each year, Europe grows in popularity as a cruise destination. However, when exploring options for a summer European cruise, don’t limit yourself to Mediterranean itineraries: gorgeous scenery and fascinating ports are also found farther north, on cruises of Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea.

The long hours of summer light provide cruise passengers with lots of time to admire fjords, island-dotted waterways and the sights of great cities such as St. Petersburg and Stockholm. Some Scandinavian and Baltic cruises include overnight hotel stays in one or more Northern European ports, providing the opportunity to get to know these cities and their many cultural attractions more intimately.

Following are some ideas for things to see and do in ports that are common stops on Northern European cruises:

• Stockholm, Sweden. Stockholm, known as the city of bridges, covers more than 20 islands. This city features numerous museums, including the extraordinary Vasa Museum, specifically designed to showcase the world’s only intact 17^th-century ship. There’s also the Nobel Museum, the Museum of National Antiquities and the Tre Konor Museum inside the Royal Palace. Old Town has quaint cobblestone streets and charming cafés, while the downtown shipping district is a great place to find Swedish crystal.
• St. Petersburg, Russia. Founded by Peter the Great in 1703, St. Petersburg was the capital of the Russian Empire for more than 200 years. The city is dotted with palaces, including the stunning Winter Palace, which houses the Hermitage Museum. Architecture buffs will appreciate the intricate style of the city’s palaces, which range from baroque to neoclassical. There are also spectacular churches, public monuments, gardens, fountains and even a medieval fortress.
• Copenhagen, Denmark. In Scandinavia’s largest city, the Tivoli Gardens amusement park is a popular place. The grounds feature flowers, twinkling lights, thrilling rides, free shows and dozens of restaurants. Visitors can see the Danish Crown Jewels in Rosenborg Palace, built in the 17^th century. Strogen, a pedestrian-only street, is filled with shops, department stores, cafés and free entertainment provided by a variety of street performers.

Other popular ports on cruises of the Scandinavia and Baltic include Oslo, Norway; Helsinki, Finland; and Tallinn, Estonia. Each city has its own historical and cultural attractions.

To find out more about the pleasures of cruising Northern Europe, call Marilyn at 1-800-720-7245.

With its deep harbor, Port Everglades is a point of departure for some of the largest and newest cruise ships that sail the blue waters of the Caribbean. The name "Port Everglades" is somewhat misleading, however, as the man-made harbor is not part of the wetland ecosystem known as the Florida Everglades. Instead, Port Everglades is in the greater Fort Lauderdale area, just 30 minutes north of Miami International Airport and five minutes away from the Fort Lauderdale airport.

If you have some time to spend there before you sail, you’ll see that Fort Lauderdale is much more than the world’s third-busiest cruise port. The city is often called the "Venice of America" because of its vast system of natural and man-made waterways.

Fort Lauderdale has more than 20 miles of beautiful, sandy beaches along the Atlantic shore. John U. Lloyd Beach State Recreation Area is right across from the port. The flat, sandy beach is a great place to relax, enjoy a picnic and get a head start on your vacation tan. The park includes Whiskey Creek, once used for smuggling liquor during the prohibition era, but now a sanctuary for the endangered West Indian manatee.

If you forgot to bring any essentials from home, you can find what you need at the Sawgrass Mills Mall. The mall has more than a mile of shops, food courts and restaurants. For some upscale boutique and art gallery browsing, visit Las Olas Boulevard, known as the Rodeo Drive of Fort Lauderdale.

If you’re traveling with children, consider visiting the Museum of Discovery and Science. The museum has many interactive exhibits, a nature trail, an IMAX theater and a Discovery Center play and learning area specially designed for children under seven years of age. Or, visit the Bonnet House and Gardens, a gorgeous seaside retreat that is open for tours.

For more ideas about things to do and see when you’re in Port Everglades and Fort Lauderdale, call Marilyn at 1-800-720-7245.

If you’re thinking about a European cruise vacation but have already sailed the Mediterranean and the Baltic, another option awaits you: a river cruise.

A river cruise offers a relaxing, scenic way to visit Prague, Vienna, Cologne, Budapest and many more centers of European history, art and culture. Between the cities, you’ll find charming villages and idyllic countryside.

River cruise ships are different from their ocean-going counterparts. On these smaller, lower-profile ships, you’re not likely to find amenities such as swimming pools or casinos. However, you will find comfortable cabins and public spaces, which often have expansive windows and wide-open decks for viewing the ever-changing scenery. The boat’s flat bottoms provide a smooth ride, minimizing any worries about motion sickness.

The smaller size of river cruise ships also means they can go places that their larger, ocean-going cousins cannot. River cruise ships can literally sail into the heart of each destination, docking close to city centers. There will be something new to do and see on shore each day, and most shore excursions are included in the base price of a river cruise.

The most popular river cruises in Europe may be those that float down the Rhine or the Danube, but cruise ships also travel on the Main, the Seine and many others. For example, in the Low Countries of The Netherlands and Belgium, cruise ships sail the Nieuw Maas, Waal and Schelde Rivers to call on Amsterdam, Antwerp and Rotterdam. Spring is a wonderful time to cruise there, as the windmill-dotted landscape comes alive with colorful tulips.

Many river cruise guests enjoy spending a few extra days in the cities – such as Amsterdam, Berlin, Paris or Lucerne – where their cruises begin or end, taking time to get to know a city that can’t be reached by an ocean cruise. To find out more about combining a European river cruise with additional time on shore, call Marilyn at 1-800-720-7245(sail).

With lofted suites, a handcrafted carousel, sculptured glass domes and the first zip line at sea, Royal Caribbean’s new ship, Oasis of the Seas, will make its debut for a Thanksgiving Week cruise of the Caribbean. The 5,400-passenger ship will introduce the cruise line’s "neighborhood" concept, which offers a variety of settings for relaxation, dining and entertainment.

There are seven special neighborhoods on board, including Central Park, Boardwalk and AquaTheater.

In Central Park, pathways wander through lush plantings of grass, flowers and trees, with two glass-domed canopies transferring sunlight to the decks below. The park also provides lovely views for more than 300 staterooms that rise six decks high on either side.

The Boardwalk provides old-fashioned fun. The centerpiece is a handcrafted carousel, the first at sea. Guests can select from a variety of dining spots, browse through shops and try their skill at carnival games.

The Boardwalk leads to the stunning AquaTheater, the first amphitheater at sea. Guests can swim and take SCUBA lessons in the AquaTheater’s large freshwater pool. At night, the pool becomes a performance venue for acrobatics, water ballet, professional high-diving and fountain shows.

Additional neighborhoods include Entertainment Place, the Pool and Sports Zone, the Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, plus an expanded version of the cruise line’s signature Royal Promenade.

The sheer size of the Oasis of the Seas allows new types of accommodations, such as contemporary loft suites with double-height windows. Other surprises on board include not one, but two of the cruise line’s popular rock climbing walls, plus the first zip line at sea.

For more information about how you can sail on the Oasis of the Seas, call Marilyn at 1-800-720-7245(sail). Royal Caribbean also expects to launch a sister ship, the Allure of the Seas, in 2010.